Albuquerque's Premier Source for Entertainment!
The day after Valentine’s Day at Effex Nightclub got hot and steamy for the Atliens : Spacecult Tour invasion. The energy was wild and exotic, showcasing the XoXo Dance Party in the Lounge and Rooftop while ATLiens rumbled downtown with there heavy bass and intense wobbles of soundwaves.
Poki Poblano hosted VANILLA POP on December 21. If you’re a fan of 80’s pop and love to dance you were probably here, and if not you should’ve been. Stay tuned because more of these amazing intimate shows will be coming in 2019.
Dance into 2019 and head into Albuquerque’s most lively and vibrant night club! Effex’s New Years Eve party takes off Monday December 31, 2018. Keep it bumpin’ to headliners featuring DJ’s Devin, Malik, Stitch, Spunjy, and Josh Burg. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the entrance fee is $20 — ages 21+ only.
Effex NightClub: 420 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Stay classy with champagne in your hand, and toast to a new year as the balloon drops in Hotel Andaluz. Join around for Hotel Andaluz’s Pop! Fizz! Groove! On December 31, 2018 at 8 p.m. and dance to DJ Sidekick, Melodious Groove, and DJ Alissa Divine.
Hotel Andaluz: 125 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Look back on your favorite 2018 moments with tacos and tequila! With a beautiful handcrafted drink in your hand, and live DJ’s, there is no better way to start off the coming year. Forget those diet resolutions you made twelve months ago, order plates on plate on plates of tacos!
Blue Agave Republic: 6001 Osuna Rd NE suite a, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Speaking on throwing out that diet, get a jump start on that New Years resolution list and eat adventurously at Albuquerque’s newest hotspot, Poki Poblano. Show up in your shiniest dress or most dapper suit, pull up a stool, order a poki bowl, get a side of caviar, and take a sip of handcrafted cocktails.
Poki Poblano: 6910 Montgomery Blvd NE suite a, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Feeling a little extra bourgeois? At a mere $209 a party package, you can spend your last night of the year in a sophisticated nightclub and lounge, with admission to Qbar for two, hotel accomodations and breakfast for two on January 1, 2019. Described as upscale, posh, and sleek, one is welcomed with extensive wine, entertainment by DJ Pete Nic, exotic appetizers, and a champagne toast. Head down and be treated like the Beyoncé and Jay-Z that you are.
QBar: 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 —Inside Hotel Albuquerque, Old Town
Image by @nob_hill_abq via Instagram
Nob Hill Bar and Grill never disappoints when it comes to awesome parties! The “upscale joint” is having a party on New Years Eve featuring DJ Ian Evan! Be sure to follow them on social media to get all the details. We are even giving away a New Years Package that will include a table for 6 and 2 bottles of Champagne! Stay tuned for more details!
Featuring DJ Ian Evan.
Abq-Live giving away a table for 6 and 2 bottles of champagne.
By Nichole Harwood
With gates opening at 7 p.m. together Evanescence and Stirling delivered a dynamic show introducing a variety of music that ranged from highly energetic and joyful to soothing and melodic.
Stirling first took to the stage dancing with her iconic violin in hand as she was joined with a live orchestra and her dancers. Each songs tone rang true as she performed a variety of favorite melodies ranging from “Roundtable Rival” to “Shatter Me” in which she was joined by Amy Lee for the vocals in the latter.
Likewise in fitting with the themes Stirling and her dancers showcased a variety of costumes and dance styles often telling a story on stage as reflected by the songs.
One particularly moving performance featured one of the dancers dressed as a ballerina attempting to dance only to be shoved and belittled by her fellow dancers when she tried to match their movements. Despite the discouragement the lone dancer persists throughout the song causing attendees of the concert to watch eagerly to see how her fate would unfold by the end of the melody.
Stirling who hails from Arizona said she felt at home among the New Mexican terrain and was excited to perform in New Mexico for the first time. She thanked a cheering crowd as she revealed she grew up as a fan of the band she was sharing a stage with. Stirling expressed her appreciation in sharing the stage with Evanescence even showcasing an old video of her lip syncing the popular song by the group “Bring me to Life”.
Stirling joked about her younger self good naturedly and then spread a message of hope to crowd as she recounted her experiences and the trials she went through to get where she is today.
“I am living proof because I am standing on the stage in front of you tonight I am living proof that it doesn’t matter if someone else sees it in you or not,” Stirling said. “What matters is if you can see it in yourself.”
After encouraging the cheering crowd to follow their dreams and believe in themselves Stirling launched into her song “Take Flight” telling the crowd that the emotions in the song were the closest she can come to describing the feeling of flying.
Stirling also took a moment to share her personal feelings on subjects of depression and anorexia encouraging attendees to understand the importance of positivity and recognizing the steps many take to reach it.
“Rather than focusing on the things I want to take out of myself I focus on the things I want to add to my life,” Stirling said to the crowd.
Following Stirling’s energetic performance was Evanescence who drew cheers from attendees as Lee launched into a mix of both older and newer music. Like with Stirling the addition of the orchestra added a new element to many of Evanescence’s songs.
Many of these tracks were amplified with the emotions of old hits such as “Lithium” and “Imaginary” standing out in particular.
In true fashion to many of Evanescence’s songs the sound of the keys of the piano accompanied lead singer Lee’s voice with the singer herself playing the instrument as well for many segments. Just as with Stirling’s performance Lee was joined on stage by the violinist for a short time.
Lee thanked the attendees with vigor as she expressed her appreciation of her fans calling the audience awesome. As the evening continued both fans of Stirling and Evanescence watched excitedly as the night’s performances unfolded.
“One of the most incredible things about music is its ability to completely transport us to another place, another time, to a precious memory,” Lee told a cheering crowd.
Photography by ABQ Live photographer Michael Griego Jr
The two created a calming and energetic atmosphere as they played their unique blend of music to the crowd Monday night.
Adam Torres first took to the stage around 8 p.m. establishing a tranquil atmosphere for River Whyless’ as he played what he calls psychedelic folk music to the audience. Despite being a native New Mexican born in Albuquerque the artist who has been playing professionally for four years had never before played in his hometown. His journey to becoming the opener for River Whyless’ began during a past performance where member of River Whyless’ Daniel Shearin’s band opened in Asheville, California for Torres. After staying in touch Torres later agreed to be the opening artist for River Whyless’ a road that eventually brought him to perform in Albuquerque for the first time.
It’s awesome, I’ve never actually played in Albuquerque strangely enough as I grew up mostly in other places but my extended family lives here,” said Torres. “I hope I get to meet people that haven’t heard of my stuff and hopefully they like it.”
The crowd welcomed Torres warmly as he performed first alone with guitar and vocals and later joined by his friend on cello.
I love Albuquerque, I love this town and I am happy to be here,” Torres said.
River Whyless began their performance at 9 p.m. playing a variety of tracks from older albums as well as their newest “Kindness, A Rebel.”
“So far I love it (Albuquerque) this is actually one of the rare days where we had time to cruise around and explore the scenery,” said drummer for River Whyless’ Alex McWalters commenting that the band enjoyed the venue at Space Coffee earlier that day. Having played in Santa Fe a year prior and enjoyed the state the band had wanted to return to New Mexico and chose to play in Albuquerque for the first time, McWalters said.
It was on route and so we figured it was high time we found out what Albuquerque’s got going on,” McWalters said.
River Whyless’ presents a unique addition to the American folk genre with three vocalist who play other instruments in addition to singing often in harmony. For McWalters his motivations as an artist are not something he can give consciously.
I think it (playing music) is more of a unconscious desire, to be creative and play my drums,” McWalters said. “There is nothing specific or exact about my motivations it’s just about creating things with people I love.”
As people filled the Launchpad McWalters said the turnout was great considering the band had never played in Albuquerque taking to the stage with his fellow bandmates.
The audience at the Launchpad embraced the rippling violin of Halli Anderson and rhythmic drumming of McWalters as they listened to the powerful harmonization of the three lead vocalist and their instruments. Near the end of the performance the band left the stage opting to instead join the crowd below as the three vocalist Halli Anderson, Ryan O’Keefe and Daniel Shearin performed songs with only the assistance of a acoustic guitar.
The band thanked the audience after the performance and met with fans after at their merchandise table.
This is an enchanted city,” Anderson said. “We had an amazing time riding bikes and eating delicious food and drinking coffee. The weather was great it was dry and breezy. It was one one of those days that from the beginning to the end it was just a good time.”
By ABQ-Live reporter Nichole Harwood | Photography by Naomi Romero
